Your guide to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Orlando) and Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter (London)

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I recommend going through the “normal” or full lines for every ride the first time you ride them. The ride queues are an experience unto themselves and often help to set-up the story for the ride experience and immerse you in the environment which really adds to the experience.

Ride Experience

Many of the rides leverage the most technically advanced systems in the world, with intricately timed visual, audio and engineering systems that have to work in sync to produce the experience… so at times there are glitches!

If a ride has any complications at all… such as poor/missing audio, screens that do not display or anything else like that that seems “off” – don’t be shy and definitely tell the ride operator as soon as you exit the ride vehicle – and before leaving the loading area – that you experienced an issue.

Be as detailed as possible with describing the issue(s), at what point during the ride the issue happened, and they will most often be very grateful and allow you to re-ride immediately by going through the Child Swap area and not having to wait in line again! For 3-D rides, you will surrender your glasses as usual for security/sanitary reasons, and they will give you a new clean pair before you re-board the ride.

Single Riders Line

After your first ride, you could consider the “Single Riders” line (if available) because you can get back on the ride usually quicker, but at the expense of bypassing most of the themed queue (e.g. a shortcut). In this line, you must go 1 at a time even if you are in a group, as the Single Rider line is used to fill-in the ride vehicles whenever there is an odd numbered party and empty seat. Often your wait will be less than half of the normal posted time, but a lot of people have caught onto this technique, and sometimes it’s actually the same amount of time or longer!

Most importantly: have fun, do everything you can, and immerse yourself in the experience!

Butterbeer has been especially developed by the culinary experts at Universal Orlando Resort, and is described as “reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch”. The base beverage is very similar to a cream soda, and all of the beverage versions (see below) are topped with a bubbly foam that infuses the beverage with vanilla and butterscotch notes.

At Universal Orlando Resort, Butterbeer is available in 4 versions:

Cold Butterbeer (similar to a soft drink)

Frozen Butterbeer (similar to a smoothie)

Hot Butterbeer (only available during the “winter” months)

Butterbeer Ice Cream (soft-serve)

Not all locations serve all 4 versions, but for the cold and frozen variety – which are the most popular – there are several spots to buy them in each park.

We have found the shortest lines for Butterbeer can be found as follows:

HogsmeadeInside The Hog’s Head Pub which is attached to the Three Broomsticks sit-down restaurant, but also has its own front entrance so you can just order from the bar and see the Hog’s Head on the wall move and snort while you wait! In Hogsmeade you can only get the cold and frozen varieties of Butterbeer.

Diagon AlleyThe Hopping Pot beverage stand is integrated into the building facades and located at the rear of the Carkitt Market annex of Diagon Alley near where the live stage shows are performed. At this location you can get all 4 varieties of Butterbeer!

Saving on Food & Drink

We recommend:

Eat light snacks throughout the day versus big sit-down meals

Consider a kids’ meal option to keep the meal less “heavy” and also cheaper

Consider a Dining Plan which will earn you a discount on your first meal, and include a snack and beverage for later in the day

Whether you are arriving by car, taxi, bus, drop-off or shuttle, you will begin your journey by passing through an expansive, elevated Transportation Hub that includes an information desk, security checkpoints, bag check and moving sidewalks that progress you along an elevated pathway toward CityWalk and then through to the entrances to each park.

Transportation Hub

Except for those walking to the parks, you will enter the hub and go through security at the same location which is a central hub with various “spokes” that service the parking decks which are accessed at the same elevation, and the guest drop-off areas which are at ground level and require a trip up an escalator or stairs to get to the hub.

Security Checkpoint

Often the bag check/security checkpoint can be very crowded since all methods of entry funnel into this hub area.

You can do a few things to expedite this process for both yourself, and those waiting behind you:

Look for the “no bag” line at the far left. If you don’t have a bag, use this line – even if you are travelling with others who need to have their bags checked. This courtesy will cut-down on the volume of people waiting in line for the bag check process.

Have all the pockets on your bags “unzipped” in advance before you approach the security guard, so they can check inside quickly. Otherwise they will have you take a step back to do this, and check other people while you are preparing your bag as requested.

Unzip and remove smaller bags that are inside your larger bags, such as toiletry kits or make-up bags.

Avoid bringing beverages. Guards may also ask you to throw away any water bottles or beverages before entering the park. This is relatively a new policy, and may have just been in place for Mardi Gras to avoid alcohol being brought in secretly, but just in case… you have been advised!

You do not need your park ticket at this point… so keep that in your pocket or packed away during the security process.

NOTE: When approaching the parks on foot – using the pathways and directional signs – you will terminate your walk at the Valet parking drop-off area, which is actually on the opposite side of the hub from the parking decks and drop-off areas, and as such, closer-in to CityWalk and often less crowded for bag check/security.

Ticketed Entry Process

Every time you enter either park through the front gates – or whenever connecting from one park to another via the Hogwarts Express – you will go through the following process, so be prepared:

Present your ticket to the ticket taker

The ticket taker will scan the barcode on your ticket

Biometric scan – place your finger on the scanner

Green light = proceed

Red light = re-scan your finger*

*NOTE: choose your finger to scan carefully the first time you enter, as you must use the same finger every time you re-scan or the system will not see it as a match.

Universal Orlando Resort currently boasts four (4) on-site hotels that offer Early Park Admission to the Harry Potter area in one or the other of the parks, which allows hotel guests into the lands 1 hour before everyone else is allowed in. Additionally, all on-site hotels offer non-stop shuttles to and from the parks for guests that include – depending on the hotel – busses, coaches and water taxis.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
The most luxurious of the three on-site hotels at Universal Orlando Resort, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel recreates the charm and romance of the famed seaside village of Portofino, Italy.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Loews Royal Pacific Resort captures the beauty of the islands with a South Pacific motif, complete with an open-air orchid garden and hand-carvings straight from Bali.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Take a trip back to the 1950’s and 60’s at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Guests can go for a swim or relax in the lazy river, or take the family for a game or two at the bowling alley.

Scheduled to open Summer 2016:

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
This Caribbean-inspired resort will whisk you and your family away to an island state of mind. With picturesque rivers and waterfalls, you’ll feel like you’ve landed on your own tropical oasis in the heart of an unforgettable adventure.

Off-Site Hotels

I have enjoyed multiple stays at the DoubleTree at the Entrance to Universal – which means it’s literally across the street. Guests do not get the constant shuttle service or Early Park Admission as with the on-site hotels, but the DoubleTree is a “partner” hotel for Universal, so they do have a “scheduled” shuttle (ask the front desk for pickup/drop-off times) and park ticket services in the lobby.

The DoubleTree has two buildings (or towers) which are identified as North and South. The North Tower has been fully renovated, and the South Tower is in progress, so some of the rooms may be a bit outdated by comparison. Still, those familiar with DoubleTree’s guest experience will be pleased with any selection, coupled with the proximity to the parks.

Getting to the parks from an off-site hotel:

Most people – including me – just walk from the hotel to the parks. It’s about a 15 minute walk if you go at a moderate pace and probably 1/4 mile distance along a beautiful fully landscaped and lit (at night) pathway. Once you cross the 6-lane Universal Blvd. (they have timed pedestrian crosswalks, so it’s not scary) you are essentially “on” the Universal Resort and the pathways are easy to navigate with signs and directional arrows to the parks.

Uber or Taxis are an option, however the journey is so short that many drivers may pass up the offer, so be sure to ask in advance and confirm payment methods accepted for such a short journey. If they accept your short journey, I would recommend over-tipping them!

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ExperienceTheWizard.com focuses on coverage of our visits to, and news about, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Orlando) and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter (London) featuring photos and reviews by Owner & Curator, Antony Coukos. Additionally, we will share general news and updates surrounding Harry Potter movies, multimedia and attractions. Featured exhibits will include Antony's detailed original photography and reviews of certain Harry Potter products like the Ultimate Edition DVDs and limited edition merchandise. Enjoy!